Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
NORTH WEBSTER - The word "patriotism" is defined as a "love of country and willingness to sacrifice for it."
The Gilmer family, North Webster, seems to epitomize the meaning of the word.
The Gilmers have sacrificed being together as a family for the love of their country, giving patriotism a deeper meaning for them.
Jacob Gilmer, on his second tour in Iraq, serves in the U.S. Army Rangers, more specifically on missions for the Long Range Surveillance Unit for Military Surveillance on the Syria-Iran border. Rangers are known for being flexible, highly-trained and deployable anywhere in the world within 18 hours notice.
A Ranger for nine years, Jacob has been deployed since March, missing the birth of his 7-pound, 6-ounce newborn son, Nathan Kent, on June 13.
Jacob willingly sacrificed being with his family to serve his country, and his wife shares the same belief.
"In the long run I know it will all be worth it," Rachel said in telephone interview. "It's for a good cause - I can't wait to have him home."
Returning from Iraq in October, Jacob will be stationed in Germany and then Georgia until 2008. He plans to join the Warsaw Police Department upon moving back to North Webster.
For the Gilmer family, a picturesque reunion is not the only thing they look forward to in 2008; the reward is finally being together as a family, a well-earned prize for the time they've spent apart in service to their country.
